Seychelles Nation 07. 06. 2016 - Public schools on Praslin will soon be making savings on their electricity bills now that they are equipped with solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

This is part of the solar school programme whereby solar PV systems will be installed at all public schools around the country.

The programme, which started with La Digue school last year, is being implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Seychelles Energy Commission (SEC), Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF), Environment Trust Fund (ETF), Ministry of Education and the Public Utilities Company (PUC).

So far eight schools around the country have been equipped with solar PV systems under the programme.

The launch of the programme on Praslin was held at the Baie Ste Anne primary school last week in the presence of the Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change Didier Dogley, students and teachers from the three state schools on Praslin as well as those from the private Vijay International School and other stakeholders.

Each school had a special presentation in the forms of poems, songs and drama to help raise awareness for energyconservation.

Elke Talma and Elaine Derjacques also did their part through their power point presentations.

The PV systems will allow savings on electricity bills which can be further invested in efforts to turn schools into 'green institutions' as well as raise awareness about the importance of saving energy, in addition to helping reduce carbon emission.

Furthermore, it could provide data for analysis about PV performance on Praslin.

The Vijay International School, which already has a photovoltaic system in place, will also assist in providing data for analysis. Data collected can furthermore be incorporated in the school's curriculum.

The panels in all three schools were mounted with the assistance of local installers Energy Solutions Seychelles and Vetivert Tech.

Addressing the gathering at the launch, Minister Dogley said the use of renewable energy is not a luxury anymore, but rather a need. Therefore, with this in mind they have come up with this programme which will have all schools in Seychelles equipped with solar PV systems. Under the programme, the installed PV systems will only cater for a percentage of the total energy required by the schools. From there, private partners are encouraged to come in and assist the schools to expand their systems so that more energy is produced and why not, reach a desired 100% efficiency.

After the launch ceremony, guests got the chance to see the Baie Ste Anne school's own 4KW solar PV system fitted on their rooftop, which can cater for 16% of the total energy required for the daily running of the school. They also planted some commemorative medicinal plants such as 'Bwa Sagay' and 'Bwa Jolicoeur' in the school's medicinal garden.